All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Thomas family commits $12,000 to SYCC expansion in memory of Michael Zebuhr

City councilman J. David Thomas

BUCKHANNON – Thanks to two large donations – one from a local corporation and another from the family of a longtime city councilman – the Stockert Youth & Community Center’s capital campaign has topped $260,000, Buckhannon City Council learned Thursday.

At its most recent meeting on Dec. 20, Mayor David McCauley announced the local branch of Weyerhaeuser Company had donated $10,000 to the campaign, which aims to raise at least $400,000 to build a new multi-use gymnasium/auditorium addition to the recently renamed SYCC.

In addition, David Thomas and his children recently decided to commit $12,000 to the campaign in honor of the late Michael Alexander Zebuhr, a Buckhannon-Upshur High School graduate who was close friends with Thomas’ son, John David, and his daughter, Kasie.

The two donations together total $22,000, putting the campaign at over $260,000 – well over the stated halfway mark of $200,000.

“We’ve received two more substantial capital campaign donations totaling $22,000 from councilman Thomas and Weyerhaeuser,” McCauley told council Thursday. “That puts us up over the $260,000 now for our capital campaign. Mr. Thomas, we commend you. Is there anything you’d like to say?”

Thomas said he and his family decided donating to the SYCC cause was an appropriate way to memorialize and honor the life of 25-year-old Zebuhr, who was fatally shot while visiting family in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, more than 10 years ago.

A graduate of Davis & Elkins College, Zebuhr had been completing doctoral work at Clemson University in South Carolina at the time of his death, according to Thomas and multiple media outlets.

Of his family’s decision, Thomas said, “Well, I think all of us in our lives need people that have an absolute positive impact on us and our families, and Michael Alexander Zebuhr was an individual that was outstanding. He was killed up in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota, a number of years ago, and he was on a full fellowship for bio-sciences. He was best friends with my son, John David, my oldest daughter, Kasie, and also Evan Smith.

“We had talked about that we had wanted to memorialize him in a way that made sense for our community,” Thomas added. “He was an outstanding athlete at Buckhannon-Upshur High School, a wrestler and in football. He had three majors, and I can’t remember them right now, but they were in math, physics, biology and chemistry.

“He was a very smart young man. I think when we think of the capital campaign for Stockert and other organizations that mean a lot to us – whether it’s the Parish House or Salvation Army, or other organizations and churches and so forth – that there’s those of us that have had some resources and have been blessed in our lives, and if you can do something to help the community, I think that’s very important,” Thomas said, adding he “do more” in the future to support SYCC’s addition.

Thomas commended Weyerhaeuser on their $10,000 contribution as well.

“I’m hoping we can get this Stockert thing going fairly soon,” he remarked. “I want to thank the people who have committed funds to this, and I hope we’ll get a bunch more.”

McCauley noted SYCC’s 25th anniversary will take place in 2019.

The basic project is expected to cost roughly $400,000 and will be a separate facility from, but connected to, SYCC’s current location on East Main Street.

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Really Really Free Market and Community Potluck scheduled for Sunday, July 13

A community Really Really Free Market and potluck will be held Sunday, July 13, from 1–3 pm at Walnut and Chestnut streets, featuring free goods, services, food and opportunities to connect and volunteer.

Man arrested for attempted murder after allegedly attempting to run someone over in Walmart parking lot

Rayne Prince Marion Chuma was arrested and charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to hit a man with his vehicle in the Buckhannon Walmart parking lot before leaving the scene.

Suspect held without bail in Brushy Fork Road robbery case

Bruno Martins Ferreira has been arrested and is being held without bail on felony robbery and conspiracy charges after allegedly participating in an armed robbery at a Brushy Fork Road residence, during which $12,000 was transferred from the victim’s bank account.

Upshur County Board of Education Agenda: July 8, 2025

The Upshur County Board of Education has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting scheduled for July 8, 2025.

City of Buckhannon calendar: July 7-11, 2025

Buckhannon has announced a series of July public meetings, bulky item and yard waste collections, family-friendly events such as Festival Fridays, deadline reminders for firefighter applications, and performances of “Mamma Mia!” at the Colonial Arts Center.

Sherry Esenwein

Sherry Esenwein, a devoted educator, animal lover, and Buckhannon native, passed away peacefully at 71 in Annapolis, remembered for her adventurous spirit, cherished family, and lifelong dedication to teaching and her beloved dogs.

Summer Basketball League kicks off

The Upshur County Summer Basketball League began its season last week, featuring multiple games with standout performances from players such as Josh Trent, Andrew Holcomb, and Sterlin Thropp, while several matches ended in forfeits.

Post 7 falls in twin bill to Charleston

Buckhannon Post 7 suffered two losses to Charleston Post 56 on Sunday, dropping the first game 14-0 by mercy rule and falling 5-2 in the second despite a late rally.

Upshur County Commission partners with development authority, eyes $550k in grants for proposed rec hub

The Upshur County Commission partnered with the Development Authority and authorized applications for $550,000 in grants, as well as a joint property transfer, to support construction of the proposed John C. Allen Regional Hub recreation complex.